Electric switch



c. c. FERGUSON ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Nov. 7, 1925 If Iii;

. ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 2O, 1927.

1 units stares Parser oer cs.

CLAYTON onnsTnn FERGUSON, or JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application filed November 7, 1925. Serial No. 67,578.

This invention relates to an electricswitch. The object of the invention is the production of a switch, which is operatedv by a detachable key. Thesecond object of the invention is the production of an electric switch, which is operated by manipulating the key thereofin a predetermined way.

The third object of the invention is the proobject of the invention comprisesan electric switch with a key, that requires to be moved to a predetermined position for its withdrawal. The sixth object of the invention is the production of a switch which is of very simple construction, and which can easily be attached in place to the panel of other objects.

In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1

a radio apparatusand the like, and for represents a partial enlarged side view and partial section of the. switch'with its key as on the line 1., 1 of Fig. 2.; Fig. 2 indicates a left hand side View of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a top plan view of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 shows a section of Fig. 1 on the'line 4, 4; Fig. 5' indicates a left hand'view of Fig. 1 with an element removed; Fig. 6 shows a left hand view of Fig. 1 with some of itselements in a changed position; Fig. 7 indicates an enlarged side elevation of the keyof the switch and Fig. 8 represents asection of Fig. .7 on the line'8, 8.- 1 I The switch is indicated with the foundation block of electric insulating material, which is threaded for the threaded bushing 21, having the head 22 with the slots 23. A cylindrical opening 24 is formed in said bushing 21, and it clamps the block 20 in place to the panel 26. Clamping screws and binding posts and 31 are indicated in threaded engagement with the foundation block 20. Pins 82 and 33 extend up from the foundation block 20. A cover plate of electric insulating material indicated at 35 is located above the said foundation block 20, and is provided with a pair of openings in which are tightly fitted the metallic sleeve 36with the shoulders. 37, and the metallic sleeve 38 with the shoulder 39 at one end. Thefscrew 30 extends through the sleeve 36 and the screw 31 extends through the sleeve 38.

A flexible" switch 'locking member is in- I dicated in its entirety by the numeral 40;

The said memberv comprises the practically circular portion 41, which encircles the screw 30, and then bends around the pin'32 as indicated at 42. A how 43 extends from the bend 42 andfrom the latter extends the.

contact'arin 45, with aportion thereof nor-' inally bearingagainst the pin 33 as indicated in Fig. 5, when the key to be described is not inserted in the-switch. In this position the contact arm 45 ispositioned to the left hand side of the axial opening of the bushing 21, dividing it into the smallsegment 46 and the large segment--47.

A terminalwire 48 for electric current has one end clamped between the head of the screw 30 and the sleeve 36, and a second terminal wire 49 has one'end clamped between the head of the screw 31 andthe sleeve 38.

The switch key is indicated with the cy'lindrical shank 50, toone end of which is fastened the operating knob 51. The latter may have an indicator thereomas shown by the knurled portion 52,-to guide the user in turning the key to its proper position. At the other end of the shank 50 is formed a truncated portion53with the apex 54 at the cylindrical surface of said shank. An annular groove 55 is formed betweenithe said truncated .porti01r53 and'the main portion of said shank. A'deep fiat recess 56 is formedwith said groove 55 at one portion thereof. :A ramp 57 spirally extends from the annular groove 55 to'the cylindrical surface ofthe shank between said deep recess 56 and the truncated portion 53.

Before the insertion of the key into the lit) switch the contact arm 45 is normally located 1 in its non-operative position to the left of the axial center of the bushing 21, dividing the cylindrical opening thereof into the small segment 46 and thelarge segment 47 as indicatedin Fig. 5.

in Fig. 4-. The key is now turned to cause the cylindrical wall of the groove 55 to bear against the arm 45, which forces said arm in contact with the sleeve 38. as best shown in Fig. 6 and thereby the electric circuit of the switch is closed. 5

If the operator inserts the apex 54 of the truncated portion 58 in and through the large segment 47 and turns the key, it will only further separate the arm 45 from the sleeve 38, and the switch will not function. The key in either case is engaged by the groove 55 or recess 56, and cannot be removed from either unless turned in proper position. If the key is turned to seat the arm45 into the recess 56 the switch locking member 40 is spaced from the binding post 81 and the electric circuit through the switch is broken.

To withdraw the key from the switch, the operator turns it untilthe arm 45 bears on the cylindrical wall of the groove 55,

and then'farther turns the key and pulls it until said arm 45 rides on the ramp 57,

until it reaches the outer cylindrical surface of the shank of the key, adjacent to the truncated portion 53, when said key can be released from the switch.

Various modifications may be made in the invention, and the present ekemplification is to be taken as illustrative and not limitative thereof.

Having described my invention what I desire to secure by Letters Patent and claim is: i

1. In an electric switch the combination of a foundation block, a bushing extending through the block, a pair of binding posts for wires to conduct electric current extending from the block, a flexible switch locking member having a contact arm, one end of said member clamped to the foundation block by means of one of said binding posts, the contact arm of said'member extending over the opening in said bushing, a key with its shank adapted to be inserted through said bushing to swing said switch locking member, said shank having a groove to seat said contact arm in proper position to lo cate said member in contact with the second binding post to close the electric circuit of the switch, and a deep recess in said shank to seat said contact arm in position to space the switch locking member from said second binding post to open the electric circuit of the switch.

2. In an electric switch the combination of a foundation block, a bushing with an opening extending through the block, a pair of binding posts for wires to conduct electric current extending from the said block, a flexible switch locking member having a contact arm, one end of said member clamped to the foundation block by means of one of said binding posts, the contact arm of said member normally extending over the opening'in said bushing and dividing the ,cross area thereof into a small segment and a large segment, a key with its shank adapted to be inserted in the opening of said bushing either through its small segmentor large segment, said shank having a groove to swing said contact arm in proper position, to locate said member in contact with the second binding post to close the electric circuit of the switch when said shank is inserted into the bushing through its small segment, and to space it from said-second binding post, when inserted through said large segment, said shank having a deep recess formed therein to seat said contact" arm and thereby space said locking switch member from saidsecond binding post, to break the circuit of the switch, both said groove and recess functioning to lock the key to the switchand-means incorporated in said-shank to unlock the key from the switch.

3. In an electric switch the. combination of a foundation block, a bushing with a cylindrical opening extending through the said block, a pair of binding posts for wires to conduct electric current extending from said block, a flexible switch locking member having a contact arm, one end of said-member clamped to the foundation block by means of one of said binding posts, the con tact arm ofsaid member normally extending over the opening in said bushing and dividing the cross area thereof into asmall segment and a large segment, when the key for the switch is not inserted therein, a key with a cylindrical. shank for the switch, adapted to be inserted through said bushing, said shankhaving a truncated end with an apex at its cylindrical wall, an annular groove formed in the shank below its truncated end, a deep recess associated with said annular groove and a ramp extending 'toward said truncated end from said groove to thecylindrical portion of the shan 4. In an electric switch the combination of a foundation block havingan opening, a pair of binding posts for wires to conduct electric current connected to the block, a switch locking member having one end thereof connected to one of said binding posts, the free end of said member normally extending across the openin in said block, a key having a shank adapted to be inserted in said opening to swing said switch locking member, said shank having a groove to seat said member in proper position to locate it in contact with the second binding post to close the electric circuit of the switch, and a deep recess in said shank to seat said member in position to space it from the second binding post to open the electric circuit of the switch.

5. In an electric switch the combination of a foundation block with an opening therethrough, a pair of binding posts for wires to conduct electric current, a switch member with a portion thereof in connection with one of said binding posts, and its free end normally across said hole dividing its area into a pair of supplementary openings, a key adapted to be inserted through the opening in said foundation block and to enter either of said supplementary openings, said key adapted to move said switch member 10 in one direction when inserted in one of said supplementary openings and in the opposite direction when inserted in the other supplementary opening, the key when inserted in one of said supplementary openings closing the electric circuit of the switch and when inserted in the other supplementary opening maintaining the circuit open.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CLAYTON CHESTER FERGUSON. 

